Can I file for unemployment on maternity leave Washington ESD benefits?

The rules around maternity leave and unemployment are pretty specific. Generally, if you're on approved leave, you might not be eligible for regular UI benefits because you're not available for work. However, if your employer terminated you or said your job isn't guaranteed, that could change things. You should definitely call Washington ESD to discuss your specific situation.

You might want to look into Washington's Paid Family and Medical Leave program instead of regular unemployment. It's designed specifically for situations like yours. The benefits are different from UI but could provide income during your leave.

Ugh, I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks about a different issue. Their phone lines are always busy and I keep getting disconnected. Someone on another forum mentioned using Claimyr.com to help get through to an agent. Has anyone tried that? They apparently have some video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

The whole system is so confusing! I was on maternity leave last year and tried to file for unemployment when my employer said they were laying people off. Washington ESD denied my claim because they said I wasn't available for full-time work while caring for a newborn. Even though I would have been if I had a job to return to!

Have you considered if your employer actually terminated your employment? If they said your position might not be available, that sounds like constructive dismissal to me. You might have grounds for a UI claim based on that.

My sister went through something similar. She was on maternity leave and her company downsized. Washington ESD initially denied her claim but she appealed and won because the company couldn't guarantee her position would exist when she returned from leave.

Whatever you do, don't wait too long to file. There are deadlines for when you can file after becoming unemployed. If your employer is being wishy-washy about your job security, file sooner rather than later.

I'm a former HR manager and dealt with these situations before. The key question is whether you're truly available for work. If you're on maternity leave but could start work immediately if offered a position, you might qualify. But if you need to continue your leave regardless, that could disqualify you.

Don't forget you also need to meet the work history requirements for UI benefits. You need sufficient wages in your base period. Being on unpaid leave shouldn't affect that if you were working before.

The whole unemployment system is broken. They make it so hard to get benefits even when you legitimately need them. I hope you can get through to someone who can actually help you understand your options.

I used Claimyr last month when I couldn't get through to Washington ESD about my claim status. It actually worked really well - I got connected to an agent within an hour instead of spending days trying to call. The service was worth it for the peace of mind alone.

Make sure you understand the difference between being laid off and being on leave. If your employer laid you off (even temporarily), you'd likely qualify for UI. But if you're still technically employed but on unpaid leave, that's a different situation entirely.

Has anyone dealt with the work search requirements while on maternity leave? I'm curious how that would work if you're not actually ready to start work immediately.

Whatever you decide, make sure you're honest on your application about your availability. Washington ESD takes fraud seriously and it's better to be upfront about your situation than to risk issues later.

I'm in a similar boat - on unpaid leave but my employer is being unclear about my future. Following this thread for updates on what you find out!

The timing of your claim matters too. You generally need to file within a certain timeframe of becoming unemployed. Don't wait too long thinking about it.

Just wanted to add that even if you don't qualify for regular UI, there might be other assistance programs available. Don't give up if your first application gets denied.

Good luck with everything! Having a new baby and dealing with employment uncertainty is stressful enough without having to navigate the Washington ESD system too.